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9 facts about Scottsdale, Arizona you didn’t know

Scottsdale is a fantastic place to live in. The city offers art, food, culture, and countless activities. It’s also a very friendly and fun-loving community.

The city’s rich history is matched by notable characteristics that make Scottsdale one of a kind. Here are 9 little-known facts about Scottsdale.

Scottsdale was originally named Orangedale

Scottsdale was founded in 1894 by Albert G. Utley, a former banker. He originally named it Orangedale because of the area’s reputation as excellent for growing citrus. Across the road from his new town, a man named Winfield Scott ran a citrus grove, which became well known for its experimental citrus varieties.

Eventually, Utley started using Scott’s farm as a landmark when giving directions to Orangedale. He officially changed the name of the town when a newspaper article misidentified Orangedale as “Scottsdale.”

Scottsdale’s is known as “The West’s Most Western Town”

The Scottsdale area is known for its numerous ranch operations and cattle ranches. This has earned the city its nickname “The West’s Most Western Town,” which is featured in the city’s official seal. Every year, Scottsdale hosts the Parada del Sol, a huge rodeo event that features horse-drawn parades, bull riding, and calf roping.

Scottsdale doesn’t observe Daylight Saving Time

Unlike most American states, Scottsdale, along with the whole of Arizona, does not observe Daylight Savings Time. Instead, Scottsdale follows Mountain Standard Time (MST) because Arizona has longer daylight hours.

Scottsdale has an average of 314 sunny days

It’s always sunny in Scottsdale! Because the city only gets around seven inches of rain per year, it boasts 314 sunny days. Compared to most American states, that’s a lot of sunshine.

Scottsdale’s official food is chili

A 1994 mayoral proclamation named chili as Scottsdale’s official food. The reason is unknown but the food is still widely accepted by the Scottsdale community. There are a number of restaurants in the city that serve delicious chili.

Scottsdale has more than 70 art galleries and museums

Scottsdale is a refuge for artists and creators. Since the Great Depression, a steady stream of artists and architects has been drawn to the Scottsdale arts scene. Downtown, the historic Art District hosts a mind-boggling 70 galleries and museums. These galleries are open every day, with over 1,000 artists contributing their work.

The fire trucks in Scottsdale aren’t red

Instead of bright red, fire trucks in Scottsdale are chartreuse, a color that’s often described as yellow-green. The city wanted to avoid using the standard red and opted for another bright color. The choice is, in fact, backed by science. Researchers say lime-yellow is easier to spot at night and in low lighting.

It’s illegal to cut down certain plants

Under the Native Plants chapter of Arizona’s Revised Statutes, it is illegal to cut down a saguaro cactus. These kinds of cacti only grow in the Sonoran Desert and cutting one down is considered a felony with jail time of between one to 3.75 years.

Scottsdale has a cowboy college

Learning how to be a cowboy just got easier with the Arizona Cowboy College. This family-owned business in Scottsdale has been teaching cowboy classes since 1980. The school is the only one of its kind in the world. Prospective cowboys are taught how to work successfully on a ranch, ride a horse, and read livestock behavior.